The Fortress

Like so many others, our church and individuals in it, are receiving their fair share of trials. For us I think it's because we have chosen to move outside the walls of our church. Our pastor preached a message September 7th that said "These walls must come down!"

Slowly, but surely they are coming down, and what we are learning is great stuff. People are coming to know Christ and turn their lives around. We're coming in contact with more and more people in need of human compassion and eternal love. Dreams we had for ministry are starting to grow and bear fruit. But as we do more all this, we are tried more.

It dawned on me the other day that when we take the walls of our church down to be in our world helping people, that those walls also provided protection, as a type of fortress. I would never discourage anyone from going outside the church to do God's work. Instead I would advise that you be ready to stand firm with much less protection that you're accustomed to. The battle is God's, and He's already won it. Sometimes we struggle with remembering that, especially when in the midst of a trial. But if we are armed and ready, we can do it! So go ahead, take the walls down in your church and reach out to the world as Christ did. Satan tried to tempt Christ, why would we think it would be easier for us!